Some things I liked some I did not.

A lot of fun.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I was one of those junior-high school kids that would race home, fast as lightning, to see the original "Dark Shadows" when it came on at 3:30. Decades later, when this adaptation appeared, I must admit I was still comparing it to the original, rather critically.But watching it now, with a new (and possibly dreadful) film version coming out, I see what I missed back then: that this one is infinitely superior to the original.True, Ben Cross had some large shoes to fill; but he did it so well, and the photography was dynamite, especially when they'd fade out, until the pin-point light in his eyes was the last thing you'd see.As I say, I await the new one with some trepidation; I hear it's been "comedy-ized," and that could be horrible. Will it turn out to be a worthy homage? This one certainly was. Looks like Johnny Depp will also have some large shoes to fill.

I'll admit I'm a fan of Dark Shadows, and when it comes to revivals I'm always skeptical it's always a hit or miss affair as much as movie remakes are. But this show didn't disappoint me, it really met my expectations and more, I feel this is one of the best revivals I've seen just about on par with the "Battlestar Galatica" revival. But the other thing is I saw this show when I was about ten years old, so if it wasn't for this show I never would've known about the original show "Dark Shadows".And it makes me all the more sad and teed off of the fact this show's lifespan was prematurely cut, if this show was on for the long haul it probably would of been the next big thing. We could of seen some of the other characters from the mythos like Quentin Collins, Nicolas Blair, and others. As well as had some new story lines, and not just retreads of the old ones; so yeah a lost opportunity.This show did what most good/great remakes should do; remodel everything to make things a little up to date, improve upon some areas that need some improvement, while staying true to the spirit and stand on it's own at the same time. I really love the production value, it still has the Gothic setting and tone but there is an even grander and vaster sense because everything and everyone isn't confined in just one space all the time. It's almost like this was what the original wanted to be in production sense, Collinwood in this show is foreboding but also beautiful at the same time, it has the mysterious foreboding but romantic sensibility about it. There was even some special effects in some places which actually are up to par, where in the original the special effects are terrible. The music is great which was one of the best things about the original, they even play the theme song (though slightly remixed) which has always been one of my favorite TV theme songs ever.But of course what makes this show is in it's characters and drama, the cast is great most to all were spot on with their characters, they didn't mimic the characters all had their own unique quality which made them feel like the same characters but were different at the same time. But also feel human because they make good and bad choices and sometimes there's a gray area where certain things they do can put you at odd.Ben Cross I thought was great as Barnabas Collins he my favorite version of the character (in my book), he still had those characteristics that make him all the more sympathetic with the charisma and menace to boot, As usual Barnabas is someone that is broken, he really doesn't want to do bad things but his vampiric nature drives him to divulge into his dark side.It's pretty much the same thing for the others, Lyontte Anthony I thought was good as Angelic she is still that villainous I don't completely hate and hot. I really like Dr. Julia Holfman played by cult actress Barbra Steele yeah I really like this actress since I like the Italian horror film Mario Bava's "Black Sabaath" she was perfect for the role, she is as usual dark, an intuitive nature, and does develop a love for Barnabas, so as usual my opinion on both Barnabas and her together hasn't changed. Adrian Paul as Jebadah even though it was a small role he was great, let alone the fact I'm a "Highlander" fan.And of course Victoria Winters played by Joanna Going is great and she's my favorite version of the character (in my book) because she a bit more aggressive. I remember as a kid having a crush on this actress because she's fraking hot. I even loved it when she played the Jossette role, it was just beautiful.The story telling style was still intact but it wasn't as lengthy and has improved in pacing. There was a non linear storytelling style sometimes with the flashbacks that add more depth to characters much like with Alan Moore's "Watchman" or TV show "Lost". The story arcs which were all the more intriguing and made me want to know more whenever it ended on a cliff hanger it's true they were slight retreads but done right where they didn't imitate their predecessor and were probably just a starting point a way to establish the mythology and introduce newbies like myself at the time to the franchise.I really loved it when the retold my favorite arc in the original series 1790 which of course was the origin and tragic story of how Collinwood and Barnabas came to be. Most of what happened in the arc was emotional and sad; I knew what was going to happen but at the same time I didn't want it to happen.I really have nothing bad at all to say about this show, well this is just a minor complaint and it's just my opinion. I didn't like how Maggie Evans was handled, she lacks that vibrant, naive, charismatic quality which to me was always the best thing about her, the lack of it make her almost a bit wooden. Don't get me wrong in the revival she's not a bad character but she's not the Maggie Evans I know and love. Also Angelique isn't really in this show long enough, but due to the show's run she didn't have a chance to be.Well, I have nothing left to say so I highly recommend the Dark Shadows revival, I just hope the upcoming silver screen film will be just as great. Collinwood is still that dark and beautiful place I want to revisit again and again.Rating 3 and a half stars

I loved the original series, but this revival series is my favorite of all the DS franchise. Major kudos to the late Dan Curtis for producing a real gem.Ben Cross IS Barnabas Collins! All of the acting is superb - especially Jim Fyfe as Ben Loomis, Stefan Gerasch - all stellar cast.This series is SO underrated and should have been picked up again by NBC to continue. I've watched all 12 episodes on DVD and re-watched them half a dozen times, and I come away each time with some other little tidbit I missed previously.One thing I did notice production-wise - which may hearken back to the sort of campy production values of the original series - is seeing a mic boom in the frame during one the last 3 episodes!!! I won't say which one - in case there is someone else out there with an eagle eye!!!

The positives of this show are Ben Cross, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Barbara Steele. They consistently made this show highly entertaining and watchable. Fyfe and Lysette Anthony were memorable as well. The look of the show was very classy. It seemed to me at the time and now coming back to it after all these years that the producers were attempting to ride the TWIN PEAKS wave. It wasn't successful. The Victoria Winters character just wasn't strongly conceived enough. I have to say that Roy Thinnes as Trask should have been given more focus. The great Jean Simmons is wasted but its more the problem with a script that doesn't offer a lot to do.